100 Dumb US Laws (With Proof They Exist)
Ford Mustang GT, Dodge Challenger, RAM 500, Chevrolet Camaro and other legendary American cars are either not sold in Europe at all, or their availability is significantly limited. While the production of some iconic internal combustion engine models has ceased, the used car market overseas remains massive. If you want a true American motor parked in your garage, individually importing a car from the USA is the solution. Below, you will read about where to find your dream car, how much the import costs, and who can help you with the entire process.
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Table of Contents
How to Proceed When Importing a Car From the USA
🔍 Where to Look for Cars in the USA
You can find both late-model and used cars on established portals like Cars.com, eBay Motors, Autotrader.com, or at the major retailer Carmax.com. If you have your heart set on a vintage classic, check out specialized websites such as Oldride.com and Hemmings.com.
When choosing a vehicle, keep logistics in mind. Ideal locations include New York, Virginia, Maryland, Florida and other states on the East Coast. As the distance between the seller and the shipping port increases, the cost of inland transport within the USA rises significantly.
Some importers list cars directly on their websites that are already prepared for shipping to the UK, or have already been imported. Often, you simply need to send an inquiry with your specifications, and they will attempt to find a suitable car for you.
👔 Car Importers From the USA
Several stable companies and a number of individuals specializing in importing cars from the USA operate on the UK market. The largest firms often have their own facilities, sister companies, warehouses, or long-term business partners in America, which significantly simplifies the process.
The quality of services can vary. A professional importer will verify the technical condition and history of the car for you directly on-site, handle its deregistration in the USA, transport, customs clearance, and subsequent registration in the UK, including the necessary IVA (Individual Vehicle Approval) testing.
Personally, I do not have enough experience with any specific company to recommend them with a clear conscience. Before deciding, definitely reach out to multiple firms, request price quotes, and go through reviews from previous clients to find out who truly acts fairly.
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Cost of Importing a Car From the USA
The final amount for an imported car is influenced by many variables. The first group of costs (customs duty, VAT) is determined directly by the purchase price of the vehicle. The second part consists of logistics—towing to the port, ocean freight, and the intermediary’s commission.
🛣️ Transporting the Car to the Port in the USA
Once you buy the car, it must be deregistered in the USA, export documentation must be processed, and it must be transported to the port. The price depends on the distance of the vehicle from the nearest port from which ships sail to the UK (most commonly New Jersey, Savannah, or Miami).
🚢 Container Shipping to the UK
At the port, the car is loaded into a container, secured, and the container is sealed. Ocean freight prices have fluctuated in recent years; while the situation has stabilized slightly in 2026, fuel surcharges must still be taken into account. Container insurance is usually included in the shipping price.
👮 Unloading and Processing Documentation
At the destination UK port (often Southampton, Felixstowe, or Liverpool), the car must be unloaded and cleared through customs. This process can take several days, during which storage costs may arise.
🛃 Customs Duty — 0%
For passenger cars imported into the United Kingdom, a standard customs duty rate of 0% applies. Duty is assessed on the customs value of the goods, which is the price of the car plus the cost of transport and insurance to the UK border (CIF value). You can check the specific rates in the UK Integrated Online Tariff.
👨🔧 Transport, IVA Testing and Registration
After customs clearance, the car must be transported from the port (usually on a trailer, as it does not have valid number plates). Before it can be registered, it must undergo an Individual Vehicle Approval (IVA) test to ensure it meets UK safety and environmental standards. This often involves modifying the lighting (amber indicators instead of red) and adding a rear fog light. Once approved, the car can be registered with the DVLA.
🧾 VAT — 20%
Value Added Tax (VAT) at a rate of 20% is calculated from the total value: the price of the car, transport costs, and the assessed customs duty. This is often the highest item among the additional costs.
💸 Commission for the Importer
Most importers offer a comprehensive “turnkey” service package. The amount of their commission depends on the scope of services—from mere purchase facilitation to complete processing of UK documents.
Count on a commission ranging from $300 to $2,600, or a percentage of the car’s price.
⚠️ Exceptions and Specific Cases
The information above applies to standard imports. Specific rules apply to classic cars (cars over 30 years old), where duty is often 0% and VAT is reduced to 5%, provided the vehicle is in its original condition. Different rates may apply to pickup trucks if they are classified as commercial vehicles.
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Example: How Much Does an Imported Car From the USA Cost
To give you an idea, we present a model example of importing a two-year-old Ford Mustang GT (model year 2024) with a mileage of approximately 8,500 km. Prices are approximate and based on the market situation in January 2026. Keep in mind that the final price depends on the current exchange rate.
Item Price (Approximate) Car Purchase Price (USA) $38,000 Inland Transport in the USA $900 Ocean Freight to the UK $2,000 Customs Duty (0% of Price + Shipping) $4,090 VAT (20% of Base incl. Duty) $9,000 Unloading, Docs, Delivery in UK £600 IVA Test, Lights Conversion & DVLA Fees £,500 Importer’s Commission £,500 The customs duty and VAT amounts in the table are automatically converted from the dollar base for illustrative purposes. In reality, they are paid in Pounds Sterling (GBP) to HMRC based on the exchange rate at the time of entry.
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Good to Know About Importing Cars From the USA
🔧 IVA and Homologation
American technical regulations differ from British ones. To pass the IVA (Individual Vehicle Approval) test, modifications are necessary. Most commonly, this involves separating the brake lights from the indicators (US cars often flash the brake light red) to install amber rear indicators, adding a rear fog light, and ensuring the speedometer displays MPH (which most US cars do anyway). Experienced importers have established procedures for these modifications.
⛽ Petrol Reigns Supreme, Diesel Is a Rarity
Passenger cars in the USA run almost exclusively on petrol. You will encounter diesel engines practically only in large pickup trucks (e.g., Ford F-Series Super Duty or RAM 2500/3500). In standard passenger cars, such as the Mustang or Camaro, you won’t find diesel options.
📝 How to Check the History of a Vehicle From the USA
The USA has a very transparent vehicle history system. Before purchasing, always check the VIN code via Carfax or Autocheck. These reports reliably reveal accidents, flood damage, mileage discrepancies, service history, and the number of previous owners.
Investigating the history for a small fee can save you thousands of pounds by avoiding the purchase of a flood-damaged or written-off vehicle.
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